A MUM-OF-TWO described as a “menace” by council officials was thrown out of her rented flat after a court granted a closure notice.

Environmental control officers from Colchester Council and Essex Police closed 167 Avon Way, Greenstead, Colchester, after magistrates heard tenant Jade Birch had made her neighbours’ lives a “living hell”.

Harwich Magistrates’ Court granted permission to close the top-floor flat for three months after they heard how Miss Birch had continually played loud music and had a stream of people coming to her property.

Richard Essex, representing the council, said: “Within one day of her moving in, there was a disturbance caused by her, by way of a large group of people that had gathered outside.

“There was a lot of shouting and the following day, there was loud music being played at the address constantly.”

“On another occasion, neighbours heard loud music and a young child was heard screaming for an hour.”

The court heard how the council had received a letter from the NHS advising them the disturbances had led to a neighbour being prescribed anti-despressants.

Speaking about the victims of the noise, Mr Essex said: “They have said how they are extremely distressed, angry and upset and have had to seek medical help.

“One woman said she gave birth to her son five weeks early because of the stress of living in the block of flats and a ten-year-old boy had to stay with his grandmother because he was too afraid to stay at the flat.”

Between July 31 and October 20 this year, the council received 29 reports of antisocial behaviour at the property.

It is the third application for a closure of premises by Colchester Council this year. Officers had closed 11 Wheeler Close and 8 Shrubland Road, in Colchester.